By John Rittenhouse
A 2-17 amateur baseball season came to an end for the Hills Thunder during the second round of the Gopher League Playoffs Wednesday, July 18, in Pipestone.

Twenty-four hours after losing to Wilmont (6-1) to open the tournament, Hills was in a must-win situation when it met Hadley during the double-elimination event.

The Buttermakers, however, scored eight runs in the first two innings and went on to best the Thunder 14-6 while ending Hills' campaign.

Hills did climb to within four runs (8-4) of Hadley after a rough start, but the Buttermakers scored six more runs in the third through sixth innings to win handily.

Playing as the home team, Hadley got off to a good start by scoring four runs in the first and second innings before Hills countered with a four-run top of the third to make it an 8-4 game.

Derek Sammons singled and scored the first run of the third inning when Adam Hansen doubled for the Thunder.

Hansen scored on Cade Lang's fielderÕs choice, and Eric Harnack and Justin Van Maanen singled home runs to complete the rally.

As quickly as Hills got back into the game with four runs in the top of the third, Hadley was equally quick in putting the contest away.

The Buttermakers scored two runs in the bottom of the third, one in the fourth and three in the fifth to increase their lead to 14-4.

Hills avoided getting beat by the 10-run rule by scoring single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Wade Jellema walked and scored on Jarud Lang's RBI single in the sixth. Hansen was hit by a pitch and scored the gameÕs final run on a throwing error in the seventh.

Hansen pitched the first four innings and took the loss for Hills. He fanned one batter. Chris Putnam pitched the final four innings and registered three strikeouts.

Harnack and Van Maanen led the Thunder at the plate by going three-for-five.

By Jolene Farley
Jil Vaughn officially begins her duties as district administrator at Hills-Beaver Creek Elementary on Aug. 13, filling the elementary principal position vacated by Kim Grengs.

Vaughn has worked for the district as speech and language pathologist for the past 14 years. In addition to her other duties, sheÕs tackled the position of special education coordinator the last two school years.

Vaughn has a master's degree in speech pathology from the University of South Dakota. Although Vaughn has no elementary principal licensure she intends to work toward that goal, which requires an extra two to three years of education.

When asked if she had any changes planned, Vaughn said, "We have great programs already, so I will just continue with the programs."

Vaughn and her husband, Brad, have three children, Taylor, 8, Brady, 7, and Cooper, 3. Originally from Sioux Falls, they currently live on an acreage west of Hills.

Scrub a dub or should we say dog? Sara Villarreal, Steen, lathers up her dog, Grizzly, while her brother, Carlos, waits in line with his dog, Black Beauty. The dogs werenÕt the only ones wet by the end of the baths Monday afternoon.

Photo by Jolene Farley

By Sara Quam
Southwest Minnesota's lower income residents and their concerns were the topic of a study released Thursday by the Wilder Research Center, Saint Paul.

Service agencies such as the Southwestern Minnesota Opportunity Council and Western Community Action sponsored the study that describes chief concerns for area residents of lower income status.

Some of the issues addressed are ones that Rock County has been talking about for years:

living wage jobs

affordable housing

child care, especially off-hour care or care for sick children

transportation

more affordable health insurance

A survey of social service organizations revealed that they wanted less red tape between agencies and easier access to emergency assistance.

Some of southwest Minnesota's problems are felt in Rock County and others are less prominent here as in other parts of the region.

The study illustrates that most job growth in the 18 county area is in lower-wage industries.

The southwest part of the state has a poverty rate greater than the state overall, but Rock County is about even with the state average of 8.7.

Unemployment hasn't been a big concern for Rock County as its rate has been consistently low, hovering around 3 percent for a few years. However, underemployment is an issue.

The city of Luverne is waiting for results of an underemployment study that was recently conducted. Underemployed people are those who want to, and are educated to, work in higher-skilled jobs than are currently available to them.

Luverne is also about to commission a housing study. Luverne Economic Development Director Tony Chladek said he has four candidates that gave cost estimates for the study, and the City Council will approve which one will do the survey. It will be started this summer with a completion date varying by which company conducts the study.

In the past, affordable housing in Luverne has been loosely defined to be about $80,000 and less.

Wages are lower in southwest Minnesota than the average wage elsewhere in the state. However, the new study said that property values are increasing more than wages so affording housing is more difficult in southwest Minnesota.

Along with housing and jobs, transportation is vital in rural areas where a dependable car is a necessity.

For those who need transportation, Heartland Express busing service helps Rock County. Terrie Gulden, Heartland director, said budgets have been tight in the past few years, but added that that's been the case for most businesses. Ridership has increased about 16 percent this year, but this can be attributed partly to more preschool children riding. But Gulden said many of Heartland's customers are lower income adults riding to appointments or work.

The southwest Minnesota study said that welfare has decreased in the region, but that isn't true for Rock County individually. Family Services Director Randy Ehlers said Rock County's welfare rolls have been steady at about 40 families. Some counties may have decreased, but Rock County's numbers are already so low that the county doesnÕt have much room for improvement.

For those who are trying to work their way off welfare, living in southwest Minnesota makes it more difficult. A survey of welfare recipients in the area found that one-fourth were working more than one job, and just as many were working more than 40 hours per week. Yet their monthly take-home pay was lower than in other parts of the state.

Emergency food and shelter assistance has remained constant in the region even though some welfare numbers have decreased.

Dorothy Dorn, who manages Rock County Food Shelf out of the Methodist church, Luverne, said about 10 families still get food there weekly.

The study summarized southwest Minnesota concerns. All may not apply to Rock County:

Wages are lower and poverty is generally higher than in other parts of the state, and most job growth is in lower-wage industries.

Child care during non-standard hours can be difficult to find. The region's relatively low wages may also make parents more prone to take higher-paying shifts and schedules in order to provide for families.

Housing costs are rising faster than wages, and people appear to be experiencing more serious housing crises before seeking help.

Cultural and ethnic diversity are growing, and immigrants are an increasingly important part of the regionÕs future.

By Sara Quam
Duck Days. the Cheese Festival and a night of all-you-can-eat free hotdogs have filled Bill Vander Kooi's summer weekends.

It's not that the 1996 Luverne graduate can't get enough of hokey holidays. He and two friends from St. Paul are filming a documentary on small-town Minnesota festivals.

"We've met a lot of carnies," Vander Kooi said.

Vander Kooi and one of the film partners, Jesse Corum, were in Luverne last Thursday for Hotdog Night and also covered Buffalo Days earlier this summer for their film.

Vander Kooi said Public Television in the Twin Cities has shown some interest in the project, and even if that doesnÕt work out, they'll have the finished product for their portfolios.

The trio has an avid interest in film, taking in about three movies a week, plus some video rentals. And although they don't have formal training, using digital equipment allows them to edit on home computers.

Vander Kooi started making films at home when he was as young as 7 or 8 years old. He continued to enjoy drama - behind the scenes and on stage - throughout high school and college.

"It's a low overhead doing a documentary, with no actors to pay," Corum said. "WeÕll be filming until the end of summer - as long as festivals are going on, we'll be shooting."

Although midway rides and funnel cake are common elements in most festivals, Vander Kooi said the differences are fun to observe.

He said some have a more "corporate sponsorship" flavor to them, and others are community-run. Vander Kooi said Hotdog Night ranks as one of his favorites. "I'm a big fan. It's free hotdogs."

He said, "ItÕs something the Chamber does for the people rather than them trying to draw people in."

Vander Kooi and Corum are graduates of Macalester College, St. Paul, and work at a restaurant there while working on the film. Gabe Llanas works as the on-camera personality, interviewing people for the documentary.

Bernadine "Dena" Aanenson, 84, Luverne, died Monday, July 30 at Mary Jane Brown Home. Services will be Friday, aug. 3 at 11 a.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, Luverne, with Rev. Dell Sanderson officiating. Burial will be in Luverne Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be Thursday, Aug. 2 from 2 to 8 p.m. with the family present from 5 to 8 p.m. at Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne.

Russell E. Cattnach, 87, Luverne, died Wednesday, July 18, 2001, in Luverne Community Hospital.

Services were Saturday, July 21, in United Methodist Church, Luverne. The Rev. Burton Blair officiated. Burial was in Old Woodlawn Cemetery, Pipestone.

Russell Cattnach was born to Jesse and Katie (Slack) Cattnach on Sept. 9, 1913, in Woonsocket, S.D., where he was raised. He attended the Sioux Falls School for the Deaf until the 9th grade. Following his education he worked for various farmers in the area. In 1942 he moved with his parents to Walla Walla, Wash., where he worked for a lumber company driving a CAT. When he retired in 1988 he moved to Luverne to be closer to his family He moved to Parkview Manor Nursing Home, Ellsworth, in June 2001.
He entered Luverne Community Hospital on July 12.

Mr. Cattnach enjoyed playing pool and shuffleboard.

Survivors include one brother, Lyle Cattnach, Ravensdale, Wash.; one sister, Fern Keeton, Anderson, Calif.; one sister-in-law, Marian Cattnach, Luverne; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Cattnach was preceded in death by two brothers, Wallace and Lynn Cattnach, and one sister, Margaret Holmgren.

Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Irene Esther Barstad, 59, rural Luverne, died Saturday, July 21, 2001, at Sioux Valley Hospital, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Wednesday, July 25, at Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sioux Falls. The Rev. Richard Todden officiated. Burial was in Trinity Lutheran Cemetery, Steen.

Irene Kitchenmaster was born to Wesley and Alma (Funck) Kitchenmaster on Feb. 28, 1942, in Luverne. She attended elementary school in Steen. She graduated from Hills High School in 1960. After graduation she worked at A.R. Wood Manufacturing Co. in Luverne.

She married Noralf Barstad on July 7, 1963, in Luverne. After their marriage the couple lived on the family farm southeast of Luverne. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Barstad attended the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sioux Falls. She was active in Rock County extension clubs and Bible Study Fellowship in Sioux Falls.

Survivors include her husband, Noralf Barstad, rural Luverne; one son, Matt Barstad, Spencer, Iowa; her father, Wesley Kitchenmaster, and his wife, Mary, Luverne; one brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary Kitchenmaster, North Mankato; one brother-in-law, David Gehrke, Beaver Creek; aunts; uncles; cousins; and many friends.

Mrs. Barstad was preceded in death by her mother, Alma Kitchenmaster, and one sister, Lucille Gehrke.
Dingmann Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.

Verlyn Junior Arp, 78, Hills, formerly of Beaver Creek, died Sunday, July 22, 2001, at Avera McKennan Hospice in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Services were Wednesday, July 25, at First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. Burial was in Beaver Creek Cemetery, Beaver Creek.

Verlyn Arp was born to William and Blenda (Hass) Arp on Sept. 11, 1922, in Lyon County, Iowa. As a child they moved to a farm near Edgerton where he attended country school. Following his education he helped on the farm.

He married Luetta Scott on Aug. 16, 1942, in Luverne. Following their marriage they farmed near Jasper for two years. In 1944 he entered the U.S. Army where he was stationed in Arkansas and Japan. He returned from the service in 1946 and they moved to a farm near Hardwick. In 1951 they moved to Beaver Creek where he worked for A.R. Wood Manufacturing Co. in Luverne and was also manager of the Municipal Liquor Store in Beaver Creek until 1962. They then purchased the Phillips 66 station and cafŽ which they operated until 1975. He also was a rural mail carrier during this time. In 1978 he retired from the Post Office. Mrs. Arp preceded him in death on March 22, 1998. He continued to live in Beaver Creek until the spring of 2000 when he entered Tuff Memorial Home in Hills. On July 21 he entered Avera McKennan Hospital.

Mr. Arp was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek. He was a lifetime member of the Luverne V.F.W., Rural Letter Carrier Association, and was a member of the volunteer fire department for 25 years. He loved to fish and play cards.

Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Bob and Roxy Arp, Valley Springs, S.D., and Jerry and Becky Arp, Sioux Falls; one daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Rodney Hadler, Hills; 13 grandchildren, Brad, Danette, Mark, Tracy, Kelly, Rob, Jodi, Nathan, Dustin, Jessica, Rebecca and Lee; and 26 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Arp was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Luetta, and one son, William.
Engebretson Funeral Home, Luverne, was in charge of arrangements.